Modal Electronics Cobalt 5S User Manual
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Modal Electronics Cobalt 5S User Manual

5 voice polyphonic extended virtual-analogue synthesiser
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Modal COBALT5S
5 voice polyphonic extended virtual-analogue synthesiser
User Manual
OS Version -
1.1
1

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Summary of Contents for Modal Electronics Cobalt 5S

  • Page 1 Modal COBALT5S 5 voice polyphonic extended virtual-analogue synthesiser User Manual OS Version -...

  • Page 2: Important Safety Information

    Important Safety Information WARNING – AS WITH ALL ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS, care and general precautions must be observed in order to operate this equipment safely. If you are unsure how to operate this apparatus in a safe manner, please seek appropriate advice on its safe use. ENSURE CORRECT PSU POLARITY - FAILURE TO DO SO MAY CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE - RECOMMENDED USE WITH PROVIDED POWER SUPPLY This apparatus MUST NOT BE OPERATED NEAR WATER or where there is risk of the...
  • Page 3 Index 00. Introduction Specification 01. Getting Started Basic Functions UI Combinations Screen Map 02. Connections 03. Synthesis Engine Oscillators Algorithms Filter Envelopes LFOs Arpeggiator Sequencer Modulation Keyboard/Voice Audio Output + Gain Touchpad Settings 04. MIDI MIDI Implementation Chart Polychain 05. Update 06.
  • Page 4 Modal COBALT5S is a five voice polyphonic extended virtual-analogue synthesiser. It features two independent oscillator groups, each containing 40 different algorithms. There is a Mix control between the oscillator groups and an extended Oscillator Drift control for Introduction creating huge super-sounds. The available algorithms include a variety of complex analogue synthesis techniques, built in cross-modulation (SYNC, RM, and many more), PWM, smooth Morphing between VA waves, bit crushing and filtered noise.

  • Page 5: Specification

    Specification Specification Polyphony Sequencer and Arpeggiator • True 5 voice polyphonic with option to polychain any two COBALT5S synthesisers for 10 • Polyphonic Real-time and Step sequencer with 512 notes and four recordable/editable voice polyphony. parameter animations (Delay FX, LFO’s, sequencer and arpeggiator can be either clocked internally or externally) •...
  • Page 6 Specification Inputs and Outputs • 6.35 mm / 1/4” TS line outputs • 6.35 mm / 1/4” TRS headphone output • MIDI DIN In and Out • 3.5 mm / 1/8” TS Analogue clock sync In and Out • Class compliant MIDI over USB connection •...

  • Page 7: Getting Started

    Basic Functions Getting Started Powering on Connect a power lead or the supplied USB cable to your COBALT5S then connect the outputs of the COBALT5S to your mixer, or if you prefer, connect your headphones. Connect the USB cable from your computer or tablet device to the COBALT5S for MODALapp communication. Then power on.
  • Page 8 Basic Functions Basic Functions Secondary functions Randomise Preset COBALT5S is a comprehensive and fully featured synthesiser. Therefore there are a number of Press and hold the ‘Rand’ switch, a confirmation message will appear on-screen however the user interface combinations that are required to access some of the deeper functions of the preset will not be overwritten until saved.
  • Page 9 UI Combinations UI Combinations Quick Recalls COBALT5S has 4 Quick Recall slots for quickly loading presets. Quick Recalls are controlled • Hold the ‘Arp’ switch, and press keys on the internal or an external keyboard to add using the following button combos: pattern notes or press the ‘Edit’...
  • Page 10 UI Combinations • Press the ‘FX’ switch once (so that the FX LED is statically illuminated) for the ADSR and Depth controls to adjust the Chorus FX parameters. Press the ‘FX’ switch a second time (so that the FX LED is flashing) for the ADSR and Depth controls to adjust the Delay FX parameters.

  • Page 11: Screen Map

    Screen Map Screen Map Patch Preset Filter LFO2 Mod Slot 6 FX-1 - Chorus Sequence Preset Audio Settings - Sequencer Load Patch Cutoff Shape Status A - Mod Depth Load Sequence Main Volume Metronome Save Patch Reso Rate Source B - Rate Save Sequence Patch Gain Pre-Roll...
  • Page 12 MIDI (In, Out) Clock Sync (In, Out) USB MIDI / Power Connections MIDI In / Out on MIDI 5-pin DIN Clock Sync In / Out on 1/8” mono/TS COBALT5S is a class compliant USB cable. These outputs can be used jack.

  • Page 13: Synthesis Engine

    Synthesis engine...
  • Page 14 Oscillators Algorithms COBALT5S features two independent oscillator groups, each containing 40 different The available algorithms on COBALT5S include a variety of complex analogue synthesis algorithms. There is a Mix control between the oscillator groups and an extended Oscillator techniques, built in cross-modulation (SYNC, RM, and many more), PWM, smooth Morphing Drift control for creating huge super-sounds.
  • Page 15 Algorithms Algorithms • Fractal Saw: Complex sync with un-quantised control over ratio (A) and and an • Ring Mod Triangle: Ring mod applied to two triangle waves, with quantised ratio asymmetry control (B) that allows every second cycle of the wave to have a different sync control (A) that snaps through a series of useful ratios, and a fine control (B), which cross- ratio to the first fades between these ratios allowing precise control across the whole range...
  • Page 16 Filter COBALT5S has a 4-pole morphable ladder filter, with switchable configurations • Cutoff: This parameter controls the filter cutoff frequency. This affects the cutoff frequency of the filter, from 0Hz up to 22kHz. • Reso: This parameter controls the amount of resonance of the filter. •...
  • Page 17 Envelopes Envelopes COBALT5S provides 3 separate 4-stage Envelope Generators (i.e. envelopes), one for the filter • Type: There are 8 envelope types. These types are stored per-patch and each envelope (F), one for the amplifier (A) and one for modulations (M). With negative amounts (F and M) type is independent so you can have a different type for MEG, FEG and AEG in the same only the attack, decay and sustain levels are inverted, the release phase will still tend to 0.
  • Page 18 LFOs Arpeggiator COBALT5S features two individual low frequency oscillators. LFO1 is global and LFO2 is COBALT5S features an intuitive programmable arpeggiator. The speed of the arpeggiator is polyphonic. controlled by the current clock which can either be received from the sync in port, external MIDI or from the internal clock in COBALT5S.

  • Page 19: Real-Time Mode

    Sequencer Sequencer COBALT5S has an extremely powerful sequencer on board, that can be configured in either • Linked Sequences: This is a screen only parameter that allows you to link a sequence real-time or step modes. Both modes feature four recordable / editable parameter animation to a specific patch.

  • Page 20: Step Mode

    Sequencer Sequencer Step Mode Overdub The step sequencer (default mode) is a 64-step, 5 note-per-step sequencer giving you full • While the sequencer is playing, press Record to allow notes to be overdubbed into the step-by-step control of your melodies and ideas. It also features a number of Step Modes that sequencer.
  • Page 21 Sequencer Gate Thru - The same as ‘Gate’ but all MIDI notes are sent to the voices. Great for re-harmonising a sequence - record chords into the sequence, then play it back using a single finger to add a bassline. Also useful for polyrhythms e.g.
  • Page 22 COBALT5S features two powerful stereo FX: Chorus and Delay. Press the ‘FX’ switch once (so that the FX LED is statically illuminated) for the ADSR and Depth controls to adjust the Chorus FX parameters. Press the ‘FX’ switch a second time (so that the FX LED is flashing) for the ADSR and Depth controls to adjust the Delay FX parameters.
  • Page 23 Modulation Modulation COBALT5S has a comprehensive Modulation Matrix with 11 Modulation Sources and 41 • Mod: Pressing this button navigates to the ModSlot page on-screen. Repeatedly pressing Modulation destinations. Mod slots can be used to assign a combination of modulation this button cycles through all mod slot settings pages on the screen.
  • Page 24 Modulation Modulation Valid combinations are listed here, combinations marked “•” are possible, combinations marked ‘X’ are not possible and combinations marked “ “ are preassigned modulations that — do not require a modulation slot: Parameter LFO1 LFO2 NOTE VELO AFTT •...

  • Page 25: Audio Output + Gain

    Keyboard/Voice Audio Output + Gain The Gain Boost setting applies to all patches and increases the average output level. • Oct -/+: These buttons control the key range available along the keyboard. Tip: You can use this while holding notes to access unavailable notes. Particularly handy The Patch Gain control, allows you to balance even the quietest patches, and dramatically improved the audio quality while decreasing noise floor, so adding gain from external sources when used in conjunction with Sustain and Chord mode.

  • Page 26: Midi Output

    Touchpad Touchpad COBALT5S contains a multi-axis, pressure-sensitive, highly-configurable touchpad for applying While the majority of the available Touch Modes give you access to all 4 XY axes (bipolar), the modulation and pitch bend. ‘Classic XY’ mode gives you access to X+ and Y+ (unipolar) only but behaves like the more traditional XY touchpads that you may be more familiar with.
  • Page 27 Settings Settings General • MPE Master Channel: Sets the MPE Master Channel for MPE Mode. Please note that if using external non-MPE MIDI controllers or software when MPE Mode is enabled, please • Clock Source: Sets the clock source for the COBALT5S with the following available set their output MIDI channel to match this MPE Master Channel value to ensure correct options: Internal, MIDI, Sync-In, Auto, Master.
  • Page 28 Settings Settings Sequencer • MIDI-in Monitor: The MIDI-in Monitor is a useful tool to use if needing to verify if the COBALT5S is receiving MIDI messages. It will display the data of any MIDI message that COBALT5S can respond to and will ignore the current MIDI channel and filter settings. •...
  • Page 29 Settings Touchpad • Touch Mode: Sets the Global Touch Mode for the touchpad. See the “Touchpad - Touch Modes” section for more info. • Touch ModW Out: Enables / disables the touchpad Y+ axis from transmitting MIDI Modulation Wheel messages (MIDI CC 1) to the MIDI outputs. You may want to disable this behaviour if the COBALT5S is connected to other synthesisers that responds to MIDI Modulation Wheel messages.
  • Page 30 MIDI MIDI COBALT5S is a fully class-compliant USB-MIDI device, meaning you can plug it into your computer, no drivers required, and gain access to a huge array of extra features. Simply plug in COBALT5S synthesiser to a USB port and it will show up as a MIDI input and output device in any software that supports external MIDI devices.

  • Page 31: Midi Channel

    MIDI MIDI MIDI Channel Program Change On COBALT5S the MIDI channel can be set in the on-screen settings, or with the MODALapp. Sending a bank change (0-2) followed by a program change (0-99) to COBALT5S will load the relevant preset. You can also change additional MIDI settings in the on-screen settings pages or in the settings tab of MODALapp.
  • Page 32 MIDI CC Implemention Chart Function Function Function Function Bank Change FEG Amount Sustain Pedal Mod Wheel Morph Cutoff Resonance Seq Length LFO1 Rate Seq Mute ModSlot 1 Source Glide LFO1 Depth Seq Clear ModSlot 2 Source Seq Hold ModSlot 3 Source Main Volume LFO1 Shape Seq Loop...
  • Page 33 MIDI Polyphonic Expression (or MPE) is a method of using MIDI to enable expressive electronic Each MPE dimension is mapped to the COBALT5S sound engine as follows: musical instruments to control multiple dimensions of sound polyphonically. In MIDI, channel- wide messages (such as pitch bend, CCs, and channel aftertouch) are applied to all notes •...
  • Page 34 Polychain You can connect two COBALT5S devices together to give 10 voices using polychain. First, connect the desired master COBALT5S DIN MIDI Out to your desired slave COBALT5S DIN MIDI In. On the master COBALT5S navigate to ‘Settings (General) > Polychain Master’ and turn this on. The slave device should now be showing all voice mode LEDs lit and ‘Polychain Slave’...
  • Page 35 Update Update The firmware on COBALT5S can be updated remotely. This means that you will be able to update your COBALT5S to the latest version each time an update is released. You can update COBALT5S using the MODALapp. MODALapp is available for macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android. To find the app on your platform, visit www.modalelectronics.com/modalapp DO NOT run any other MIDI software that could be sending messages to COBALT5S during the update process.
  • Page 36 MODALapp MODALapp MODALapp adds visual feedback for COBALT5S (and other Modal devices) and access to a handful of extra settings outlined above. All parameters are accessible from a single interface. • All UI parameters accessible from a single interface • Preset Manager page for preset management, backup and import •...

  • Page 37: Main Editor

    Getting Started Main Editor Connecting devices This is the main section for patch design / editing. You will find keyboard / voice, oscillator, filter, and envelopes here. COBALT5S can be attached to an iPad using a Camera Connection kit, or an Android device using a USB OTG (On-the-go) adapter.
  • Page 38 Preset Manager + Modulation Tab Preset Manager + Modulation Tab In the Preset Manager Tab there are options to curate, move, backup or import presets. You may also right click on a bank button to expose exporting and importing options of the There are 100 presets per bank that can be viewed by scrolling in the preset list.
  • Page 39 Sequencer Tab Sequencer Tab In the Sequencer Tab you can choose sequence type, load, initialise and save any of the Seq Edit Mode: To edit notes, ensure the draw button on the top bar is highlighted. presets as well access the live sequence controls such as Length, Hold, Loop and Quantise. It’s a lot like you’d expect from any old piano roll, clicking on an untoggled note or dragging When in Step Seq you can also scroll through steps displayed in groups of 16.
  • Page 40 FX, Keyboard + Settings Tab In the FX Tab there is access to the two FX engines Chorus and Delay and their respective controls. In the Keyboard Tab there is a MIDI controller that can be used to play notes on COBALT5S from your device.

  • Page 41: Warranty Information

    Warranty Information Warranty Information Warranty Statement What is meant by a Manufacturing Defect? • The Modal warranty period for any product purchased is 12 months from the date of the • We define this as a defect in the performance or specification of the product as described original purchase.

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